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Machado Saga Over, Anderson Passionate About Sox

"You either ride with us or get run over," Tim Anderson says.

GLENDALE, Ariz. (670 The Score) -- The White Sox's failed pursuit of star infielder Manny Machado in free agency was the talk of the clubhouse, and it left some players relieved the uncertain saga was over and others upset about missing out on a key addition.

The most passionate was Tim Anderson, who will remain at shortstop and was happy to see what he viewed as a distraction out of the way after Machado agreed to a 10-year, $300-million deal with the Padres on Tuesday.

"We are going to be South Side regardless," Anderson said. "Nobody's decision determines what got going in this room. I feel like we have a great group of guys here, and we are going to do something special. The White Sox are moving in the right direction. Like I said, one decision doesn't dictate our season."

Anderson agreed with an assessment that Machado may have missed the boat by passing on the rebuilding White Sox's offer.

"He might have, he might have," Anderson said. "We are going to keep rolling. You either ride with us or get run over. We are going to keep it rolling. We could care less on who is on the boat with us. We know who's all on the boat with us, and we know which way we want to sail. So we're going to get there."

Anderson then got stronger in defense of the room

"I could care less about the Machado/Harper situation," Anderson said, also referencing Bryce Harper's free agency. "I know where we are headed at. I am on the South Side -- that is where I want to be at. We have a great group of guys right here."

White Sox first baseman/designated hitter Yonder Alonso, Machado's brother-in-law, had a mixed reaction to the news.

"From my end, it would have been a dream come true to have a family member on our team," Alonso said. "It was an opportunity, and he did what he felt was right for his family. I support him 100 percent.

"As a family we are very, very excited for him. We (as the White Sox) are excited about his new chapter. We are ready and prepared (to move on). We owe the city of Chicago and ourselves that we have a really good team with a bright future. Our goal is not to just get to the playoffs but bring a trophy home."

The White Sox's focus can now entirely be on the players in their clubhouse and at camp.

"It was more about the media doing that," Alonso said pushing back at the idea the Machado saga was a distraction. "The 60-plus players and the coaching staff has always been about the guys in here. It has been going out here and getting better every single day."

Outfielder Jon Jay, a close friend of Machado's, was sorry to see him choose to play elsewhere.

"It is unfortunate that he did not come here," Jay said. "We would have certainly welcomed a player like him here. He made his decision, and I am happy for him as a friend. We can now turn the page. We have our team here, and I am happy with the roster we have here. I am looking forward to going out and working with players we have here."

Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine​.